DODGING WORK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 508, 18 November 1909, Page 3

DODGING WORK.

PARLIAMENT WANTS TO AGAIN PROROGUE.

WHAT ARE THEY PAID FOR?

The Post gives members of Parliament some straight talk in an editoral article entitled, “ What are they Paid for?” Our city contemporary says that the leading idea of a large number of members appears to be that Parliament must rise at the beginning of the Christmas holidays, and not meet again till the next session opens in ordinary course at the end of June. “What we desire to see the Premier taking an early opportunity of impressing upon the House is that it is not any date in the calendar, but the quantity of work done that must mark the termination of the present session.

The preamble is thus set out by the Post: “It will probably be universally conceded now that the Premier’s visit to London has amply justified Itself, though the excellent work that he did both at the conference and in regard to other matters does not dispose of our contention that arrangements should have been made to keep Parliament going during his absence. In conceding, however, for the sake of the present argument, that the prorogation from June till October was a proper step, we desire to ask whether any justification whatever can be found for the further prorogation that is now in view. We cannot believe for a moment that the Government, after disappointing its enemies by the boldness and excellence of the programme outlined in the Financial Statement, is going to play right into their hands by consenting to further prorogation with all but the fringe of that programme untouched. But it is already abundantly clear that verystrongiipressure will be brought to bear upon the Government with a view to effecting this object, and that a strenuous resistance will be needed if the proposal is to be defeated.”

Then comes the sting in the tail of the article: .“Is it not-a positive outrage that our legislators should be contemplating either the passing of all these measures at sight or the postponement of them until next session ? It seems necesjj sary to remind them that they are paid a year for attending to the country’s business, and that they will be getting their money on false pretences if they deliberately neglect that business in the scandalous manner which is now contemplated.”